Is Sanders Right About Americans Being Sick & Tired Of Hearing About Clinton Email Scandal? (Poll)

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Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders emerged as the clear winners of the party’s first debate hosted by CNN and Facebook at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

But it was Sanders who won the loudest applause when he slammed the media for its constant chatter about a scandal dogging his opponent: Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

“Let me say something that may not be great politics,” Sanders said when CNN debate moderator Anderson Cooper asked Clinton about the email scandal, “but I think the secretary is right, and that is the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.”

And with that, Sanders handed Clinton a much-needed assist as she works to put the scandal behind her. She smiled and thanked her rival, who is close behind her in polls of early voting states, except in New Hampshire, where he is leading, according to a recent survey.

“Thank you,” Clinton said. “Me, too.”

But Sanders didn’t stop there. He reprimanded the press for focusing on the scandal instead of issues important to American voters, such as the dwindling middle class.

“The middle class in this country is collapsing,” Sanders continued. “We have 27 million people living in poverty. We have massive wealth and income inequality. Our trade policies have cost us millions of decent jobs. The American people want to know whether we’re going to have a democracy or an oligarchy as a result of Citizens United.”

At that point, Clinton stepped away from her podium and shook hands with Sanders.

“Thank you, Bernie,” she said.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, who live tweeted the debate, even approved of Sanders’ comment.

But the email scandal is where Sanders and Clinton parted. They traded barbs about policies in the Middle East, gun control, and the economy. Clinton bobbed and weaved like a well-trained debater, going in for the quick verbal jabs.

When asked about Sanders’ record on gun control, she pulled no punches.

“No, not all,” she answered when asked if Sanders has been tough enough on gun control as a legislator. “We have to look at the fact that we lose 90 people a day to gun violence.”

Clinton’s answer centered on presenting African-Americans with a new New Deal. DeRay Mckesson, of Black Lives Matter, and other civil rights leaders, noted that Clinton failed to talk directly about race.

Now, Clinton did highlight a new New Deal but didn't directly talk about race. #DemDebate

As for the other three Democratic candidates on the stage, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley will likely hang in there for another round of debates. While he didn’t have any breakout moments, he pushed back at Clinton on issues like a no fly zone in Syria, and his performance as governor.

But it could be lights out for former senators Jim Webb of Virginia and Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island. Chaffee admitted that in 1999 he voted for a measure that made banks bigger because, wait for it, it was his first day in office.

“Glass-Steagall was my very first vote,” he said. “I just arrived, my dad had died in office. I was appointed to the office.”

“Are you saying you didn’t know what you were voting for,” Cooper asked.

“I’d just arrived to the senate,” Chaffee explained.

“What does that say about you passing a vote about something you aren’t really sure about?” Cooper countered.

“I think you’re being just a little rough,” Chaffee complained.

Did you watch the debate and who do you think won? And do you agree with Sanders about the email scandal? Take our poll below.